Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater Tours

The Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater is the oldest theater in Odessa, originally opened in 1810. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1873 and was rebuilt in 1887 with elements of neo-Renaissance, Baroque, rococo and classical baroque elements. Niches on the top floor of the façade display busts of Mikhail Glinka, Nikolai Gogol, Alexander Griboyedov and Alexander Pushkin. The main entrance is decorated with stucco molding depicting dramatic and comedic episodes. The theater’s large, horseshoe-shaped hall is decorated with gilded stucco figures and designs and features unique acoustics that allow even a whispered voice to reach any part of the hall.

In its early days, to keep theater patrons comfortable during the summer months, workers would lower ice and straw to the basement below the hall, from where cool air would then rise up through vents beneath the seats. Although it was renovated in 2007, the theater sits upon precarious ground and is in danger of eventually collapsing.

Practical Info

The theater is located in the center of Odessa, just steps from the famous Potemkin Stairs. Theater-goers are expected to dress up; shorts, t-shirts, and “clothes for sport and beach” are not permitted. Children under the age of seven are not allowed at evening performances. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, but note that for current performances, tickets are available only one hour beforehand.

Location

Address: Chaikovs'koho Ln, 1, Odessa, Ukraine

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Hours: The box office is open Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a break between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Evening performances typically begin at 6:30 p.m. and matinees typically begin at noon.

See the sights of Odessa on a private tour that provides an introduction to the city's major attractions. Check out the district of Arcadia, known for its beaches and restaurants; drive along French Boulevard; admire a view of the Black Sea coastline; and see Odessa’s main landmarks in the city center. With a private guide, you'll enjoy personalized attention as you learn about life in the city, its history and prominent figures.

Experience Odessa like a local on this private full-day tour and maximize your time with a custom-made itinerary. Admire the grand monuments along Deribasovskaya Street; visit the Potemkin Steps, Vorontsov Palace, and Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater; and enjoy a typical Ukrainian lunch at a local restaurant.

Odessa is the maritime center of Ukraine, located on the Black sea coast. Discover the highlights of the coastal city on this 2.5-hour walking tour, including architectural wonders like the 19th-century Opera House and Vorontsov Palace, the grand Potemkin Steps, and the unique Monument to the 12th Chair.

Discover the highlights and hidden corners of Odessa on a private 3-hour tour. Spare yourself the stress of navigating crowded public transit, and relax in convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. You set the pace of the tour and are free to engage with your guide, every step of the way. Follow your guide to the city’s architectural and historical gems, including the Opera and Ballet Theater and Rishelievska Street.